I was asked an interesting question last Tuesday while I was a guest on the Orange and Brown Report. The question dealt with which player amongst a fine pool of potential draft picks in round one had the highest floor and ceiling for the Browns. Of particular interest to me, and likely the Browns Braintrust, is who is the better player for Romeo Crennel's defense between Kamerion Wimbley and Bobby Carpenter.
The common belief amongst draft pundits and various scouting organizations, is that the 12th pick in the first round is too high for Bobby Carpenter, but not so for Wimbley.
I have to ask the question why? Let's do the math. First off, the highest floor refers to which player is the safer pick, or more certain to do well for the team that selects him. The higher ceiling refers to which player has the higher long -term potential.
Both Wimbley and Carpenter have the necessary physical tools to play linebacker in the NFL. KW is 6ft, 3in and 250+ lbs, BC measureables are almost the same, though KW can probably fill out more as the years go by. But for the LB position Carpenter's dimensions are excellent. And for arguments sake, we are comparing these two players as linebackers, not defense end (Wimbley) to LB (Carpenter). Both players can run, both pass the all important character test. So these areas are a wash between the two players.
But here lies the biggest difference between the two players, and why I believe Carpenter is worth the 12th pick in the draft, even moreso than Wimbley. In a nutshell, the Browns need a LB that can stuff the run and put pressure on the QB. BC can project inside with Andra Davis. BC can move outside and play the rush LB role, or play with his hand down as a fourth lineman in certain situations. Look at film, he's done it. You are getting alot of versatility with BC and again, he has done it, thus the higher floor.
Wimbley, an excellent talent, is a hustler, with a very high motor, but he started just one year at the defensive end position for Florida State. To me he is a bit riskier to project as a success as a top-flight rush LB, similar to Willie McGinest. I do not think Wimbley could beef up to the point of ever being a true DE in a 3-4 defense, hence his versatility factor is not quite as high as Carpenter's. We must keep in mind, versatility is all important to the Browns' defensive system.
On the potential front, both players can become big time NFL studs. Perhaps Wimbley's overall athleticism could give him a slight edge in the "ceiling" catagory when comparing him to BC, but this edge is not enough to discout Carpenter as a legitimate candidate for the 12th pick in the draft.
So I ask the question, why not Carpenter at 12?
Is BC the only player the Browns should consider at the 12th spot? Absolutely not, Ngata, Bunkley, Huff and yes even Wimbley, should be given a hard look. Out of this pool will come the Browns first choice in '06. And Oh yea, don't forget to add Carpenter to the mix, he's got the highest floor and a pretty good ceiling too!